NIRH has a long history of supporting abortion coverage in both public and private insurance, including our 2010 ground-breaking research in anticipation of the anticipated attacks on abortion coverage following passage of the Affordable Care Act. Since 2012, promoting coverage for abortion care has been a priority in its local strategies, and NIRH has supported advocates across the country to work with their city councils and local boards of health to ensure that all women have insurance coverage, whether private or public, for this important health care service.
Current federal policies and a host of copycat state laws withhold insurance coverage for abortion from people who qualify for government-sponsored insurance programs. Since 2012, NIRH has prioritized insurance coverage for abortion care in its local strategies, supporting advocates working with their city councils and local boards of health to ensure that all women have insurance coverage for abortion care.
NIRH, in partnership with the All* Above All campaign, has worked with cities across the country to demonstrate elected leaders’ support for comprehensive reproductive health care for all women, calling on federal and state politicians to reinstate coverage for abortion services. By showing public approval for abortion coverage in their home communities, these resolutions have an impact on policymakers at the state and national levels, who have the power to change the laws impacting millions of women across the country. Learn about attacks on insurance coverage of abortion on the local level.
2019
Through the second half of 2019, multiple cities in Massachusetts passed pro-abortion resolutions through their city councils. All of the resolutions passed so far both support the right to abortion as guaranteed by Roe v. Wade and affirm that their city supports people who seek abortions and their right to do so safely and legally. All of the resolutions, except in Somerville, MA also explicitly call on the Massachusetts state government and specific state legislators to pass the state legislation titled “An Act to Remove Obstacles and Expand Abortion Access” or the ROE Act.
- Amherst, Massachusetts: Find resolution text here and media coverage here.
- Somerville, Massachusetts: Find the media coverage and resolution text here.
- Northampton, Massachusetts: Find the resolution text here and media coverage here and here.
- Greenfield, Massachusetts: Find media coverage here.
- Easthampton, Massachusetts: Find the resolution text here and media coverage here.
2018
- Read the resolution here.
- Read a Texas Tribune op-ed from Amanda Williams, Executive Director of The Lilith Fund, on the need to fight for ends to bans on abortion coverage and other restrictions here. ()
- Watch the press conference on the resolution here.
- Read coverage on Fox 7 news here.
- Read coverage on Spectrum news here.
- Read the resolution here.
- Read about why a resolution was needed in Durham County here.
- Read an op-ed from Dr. Mansi Shah in The Herald Sun on how abortion coverage restrictions harm patients.
- Read testimony from Tara Romano, Executive Director of NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina.
- Read testimony from Toni Curry, Development Director of NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina.
- Watch the vote for the resolution here (1:08).
2017
- Read the resolution here.
- Watch video of the meeting and the compelling testimony from advocates here (begins at 1:33:40).
- Read testimony from the following speakers:
- Read the Storify for the live-tweeting of the meeting here.
- Read more about this resolution on Western States Center’s blog.
- Read the press release here.
2016
- Read the resolution here.
- Read the Mayor’s Proclamation here.
- Read testimony from the following speakers:
- Zoe Maisel, a junior at Cornell University and co-president of Generation Action.
- Liz Weissbrot, Vice President for Patient Services at Planned Parenthood of the Southern Finger Lakes.
- Liz Gipson, Director of Public Affairs at Planned Parenthood of the Southern Finger Lakes.
- Joan Adler, Pregnancy Options Counselor at Planned Parenthood of the Southern Finger Lakes.
- Read Mayor Svante Merrick’s op-ed in Politics365, “Why Our City Will Lead the Fight to End Hyde”
- Ithaca Times coverage.
- Ithaca Voice coverage.
- TruthOut coverage.
- Read the resolution here.
- Read the Storify of live-tweeting by advocates here
- Read testimony from Emily Zahn of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California.
- Read the statement from Black Women for Wellness upon passage of the resolution.
- Watch video of the resolution’s introduction and vote.
- Watch video of the press conference following the vote.
2015
- The Common Council Resolution
- Op-ed from Alder Lisa Subeck, sponsor of the resolution
- ThinkProgress coverage
- RH Reality Check coverage
- The Badger Herald coverage
- National Institute for Reproductive Health press release
- Testimony in favor of the resolution
- Nora Cusack of Women’s Medical Fund
- Madison resident Cynthia Lin
- Madison resident Allison Sambo
2014
- The Board of Supervisors’ Resolution.
- Statement from San Francisco Supervisor David Campos, lead sponsor of the resolution.
- Read a blog post from Young Invincibles on the resolution here.
2013
- Cambridge City Council Resolution
- National Institute for Reproductive Health press release
- WBUR’s CommonHealth Blog entry on the resolution
- Cambridge City Council hearing testimony
- Diane Roseman & Megan Smith, EMA Fund volunteers
- Ravina Daphtary, Cambridge Resident
- The New York City Council resolution
- NARAL Pro-Choice New York & the National Institute for Reproductive Health’s press release
- Testimony from the New York City Council Committee on Women’s Issues hearing on Resolution No. 1635-A:
- The Philadelphia Board of Health resolution
- The National Institute for Reproductive Health press release
- Philadelphia Inquirer coverage
- RH Reality Check coverage
- Audio coverage on the resolution by Newsworks (begins at 5:40)
- Catholics for Choice press release
- Coverage of the resolution from the Center for Reproductive Rights on RH Reality Check
- The Travis County Commissioners Court resolution
- Testimony from the Travis County Commissioners Court hearing: